6-Nitrodopamine is a novel catecholamine released by vascular tissues, heart, and vas deferens. The aim of this study was to investigate whether 6-nitrodopamine is released from the thoracic aorta and pulmonary artery rings of marmosets (Callithrix spp.) and to evaluate the relaxing and anti-contractile actions of this catecholamine. Release of 6-nitrodopamine, dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline was assessed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The relaxations induced by 6-nitrodopamine and by the selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonist L-741,626 were evaluated on U-46619 (3 nM)-pre-contracted vessels. The effects of 6-nitrodopamine and L-741,626 on the contractions induced by electric-field stimulation (EFS), dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline were also investigated. Both aorta and pulmonary artery rings exhibited endothelium-dependent release of 6-nitrodopamine, which was significantly reduced by the NO synthesis inhibitor L-NAME. Addition of 6-nitrodopamine or L-741,626 caused concentration-dependent relaxations of both vascular tissues, which were almost abolished by endothelium removal, whereas L-NAME and the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ had no effect on 6-nitrodopamine-induced relaxations. Additionally, pre-incubation with 6-nitrodopamine antagonized the dopamine-induced contractions, without affecting the noradrenaline- and adrenaline-induced contractions. Pre-incubation with L-741,626 antagonized the contractions induced by all catecholamines. The EFS-induced contractions were significantly increased by L-NAME, but unaffected by ODQ. Immunohistochemical assays showed no immunostaining of the neural tissue markers S-100 and calretinin in either vascular tissue. The results indicated that 6-nitrodopamine is the major catecholamine released by marmoset vascular tissues, and it acts as a potent and selective antagonist of dopamine D2-like receptors. 6-nitrodopamine release may be the major mechanism by which NO causes vasodilatation.

RESUMO Objetivou-se a padronização de testes de exercício de alta e baixa intensidades em esteira, bem como a avaliação do eletrocardiograma de cães submetidos a esses testes. Para tal fim, sete cães da raça Australian Cattle Dog e quatro da raça Border Collie clinicamente saudáveis foram submetidos a dois testes de exercício em esteira, com pelo menos sete dias de intervalo: T1 - teste de exercício de alta intensidade e curta duração, e T2 - teste de exercício de baixa intensidade e longa duração. A amplitude e a duração de ondas e intervalos foram avaliadas no momento antes do exercício (M0) e nos momentos imediatamente após o término dos testes (MPE) e 30 minutos após (M30). A frequência e o ritmo cardíacos foram avaliados antes dos testes e continuamente por 30 minutos após o término do exercício. Verificou-se diferença significativa somente para a duração do intervalo QT em M30 em T1, além de algumas arritmias, como complexos atriais e ventriculares prematuros isolados em três animais após o teste T1, e em quatro após T2. Os testes de exercício foram adequados para promover estimulação simpática nos cães, contudo não causaram alterações significativas no eletrocardiograma, provavelmente em razão do excelente condicionamento físico dos animais.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to stardardize high and low intensity exercise tests, and evaluate the electrocardiogram of dogs submitted to these tests. Seven clinically healthy Australian Cattle dogs and four Border Collies underwent two exercise treadmill tests, with at least a seven day interval: T1 - high intensity and short duration exercise test, and T2 - low intensity and long duration exercise test. Amplitude and duration of waves and intervals were assessed at resting time before exercise (M0), at immediately after (MPE) and at 30 minutes (M30) after the end of the tests. Heart rate and cardiac rhythm were evaluated before the tests and continuously for 30 minutes after the end of exercise. There was a significant difference only for duration of the QT interval at M30 in T1, and some arrhythmias such as isolated atrial and ventricular premature complexes in three animals after T1 test, and in four dogs after T2. The exercise tests of the present study was suitable to promote sympathetic stimulation in dogs, however did not cause significant changes on the electrocardiogram probably because of the excellent physical fitness of the dogs.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da inclusão de 0,5% da zeólita natural clinoptilolita na dieta de frangos de corte sobre o consumo de água, ração e características das excretas. Foi conduzido um ensaio em gaiolas metabólicas, com frangos de corte de linhagem comercial, no período de 14 a 23 dias de idade. O experimento foi constituído de dois grupos de aves, sendo que um recebeu dieta sem inclusão de zeólitas (controle) e outro dieta com inclusão de 0,5% de zeólita (clinoptilolita) em rações isonutritivas, em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com 10 repetições de 10 aves. Avaliou-se o consumo de água e de ração, nas excretas, pH, teor de nitrogênio total e umidade. A inclusão de 0,5% de zeólitas naturais na dieta não alterou (P>0,05) o consumo de água e de ração e o teor de nitrogênio das excretas, entretanto, reduziu (P<0,05) o pH e a umidade das excretas. Conclui-se que a inclusão de 0,5% de zeólitas naturais na dieta de frangos de corte reduz o pH e a umidade das excretas e pode ser utilizada como aditivo alimentar sem prejudicar o consumo de água e de ração.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of 0.5% natural zeolites (clinoptilolite) to the diet of broilers and their effect on water and feed intake and excreta characteristics. The test was carried out in metabolic cages, with commercial line broilers, in the period from 14 to 23 days old. The experiment was conducted with two groups of broilers: one group received diet without zeolite inclusion (control) and the other received a diet with 0.5% inclusion of zeolite (clinoptilolite) in balanced diets, in a completely randomized design, with 10 replicates of 10 broilers. Water and feed intake, pH, total nitrogen, and moisture of excreta were evaluated. The inclusion of 0.5% of natural zeolites in the diet did not change (P>0.05) the water and feed intake and total nitrogen of excreta, nevertheless, it decreased (P<0.05) the pH and moisture of excreta. We conclude that the addition of 0.5% natural zeolites to the diet of broilers decreases pH and moisture of excreta and can be used as feed additive without compromising water and feed intake.